Only 5-6% of household plastic waste in the United States actually gets recycled. I was stunned.

This stat lingered with me when I first learned about how plastics leach chemicals, shed microplastics, and linger in landfills for centuries. I felt concerned. Over 90% of plastic ever made still exists on the planet. We need to stop using it. Stop producing it.

Shopping differently proved harder than expected. I searched for better options and quickly realized how challenging it was to avoid single-use plastic and attempt a zero-waste lifestyle. It seemed inaccessible in my day-to-day reality.

In my yoga journey, I was taught 'When the world is cold, make it your business to build fires.' That wisdom stayed with me. Instead of waiting for someone else to create the answer, I decided to build something myself. I wanted a way to align everyday purchases with my values

Not interested in “business as usual,” I began asking different questions:

What if impact was the true metric of success? What if caring was compelling enough? What if the interests of people and planet came before convenience and margins? How can a business foster real behavior change that’s against the grain?

Sol Refill, the milk (wo)man style delivery service, began in 2022. The business model is not meant to be nostalgic. It's to mix old and new ways of being (reusing glass meets an easy-to-use online storefront and home delivery). Before the rise of single-use plastics, a throwaway culture was not the norm. Nothing we use for just a few minutes should litter the planet for centuries.

Sol Refill exists to make sustainable choices simple for everyone, delivering reusable jars across Pittsburgh. With every order, customers take real steps toward reducing household plastic.

Now, as a new mother, my commitment to this work feels even more personal. The choices normalized today shape the world my children will inherit.

We hope you’ll join us on the mission.